Date: 21/12/2019 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 1.141 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water mostly clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, nor-easterly breezes. Number on Trip: 2 people. Time on River: 2 hours. Comments: Lauri was keen to paddle down stream from our place to Kerrs Reach and possibly a little beyond to see if we could see where Greta the Shelduck had gone to. I attached the bike rack to the car, pumped up my bike tyres, loaded it on the rack and drove down to Kerrs Reach so we wouldn’t have to paddle back upstream. From the Arawa boatsheds at Kerrs Reach, I cycled down the stop bank to the Avondale Road bridge, all the while keeping an eye out for paradise shelducks, and the back home along the northern bank.
After lunch, we got kitted up and took the kayaks down to the river. Our plan for a leisurely drift / paddle downstream was somewhat thwarted by an incoming tide and headwinds, meaning that any time we stopped paddling, we started floating upstream. Still it was a nice day and good to be on the river.
Heading downstream through the Red Zone.
We didn’t see any sign of Greta, but there were a number of pairs of shelducks and some of those had ducklings with them. We also saw lots of canada geese, swans, ducks, scaups, shags and even a largish school of fish. At Kerrs Reach, a group of high school rowers must have been having their end of year event, so there were a number of boats being rowed erratically by mixed groups of parents & students, which we largely tried to avoid. There were also plenty of geese and swans, and a little further down was a family of shelducks with twelve, almost grown juveniles. A pretty amazing achievement to have that many survive to near adulthood.
From here we continued on, only planning to go a little further, then just to the bend and eventually down to the Avondale Road bridge, some 2 kilometres from where we left the car. The rowers gave over the river to the race boaters from Arawa, but there was no sign of Greta, so we turned around and headed back up the river, past more paddlers enjoying a fine day out on the river. By the time we got back to the car, Lauri was quite tired and we were both glad to head home for rest.
Date: 23/11/19 River: Hurunui River, North Canterbury, NZ River Conditions: 66 Cumecs at Mandamus. Grade 2 – 3, water swift & clear. Weather Conditions: Sunny & warm with occasional strong easterly wind gusts. Number on Trip: 8 kayakers (4 doing Maori Gully). Time on River: 3 hours Comments: The stars finally aligned and I was off on my first white water trip of the season. It was good to load up the Blitz and head off to the Belfast Tavern, even if I was feeling a little nervous. We sorted out vehicles and then we were off to Hurunui. I was travelling with Crispin and his son Zac, with Zac practicing his driving skills by driving us most of the way. We were team Bliss-stick, as our roof rack was predominately Bliss-stick boats, with a lone Jackson kayak.
We stopped off at Devil’s Fang Falls for a brief inspection, with the river running a bit higher than normal, there were plenty of lines to choose from. Many of the rocks under water, but there was a foaming mass of white water below the central line and going down the left hand side would have been interesting to say the least. We picked our lines and noted the features for future reference, then back into the cars.
When we arrived at Jollie Brook, there was a big group of WWCC beginners gathered for additional training on the river. We also found that Crispin’s roof rack had come loose on one end and the boats were only just held on, so it was lucky that nothing had fallen off. We unloaded and got changed, then waited around while the shuttle was run. We got on the river for a bit of a warm up before our shuttle drivers returned, it was good to be back on the river and to find out that my skills hadn’t departed, even if my fitness was somewhat lacking.
Playing on the Jollie Brook section.
Once our drivers returned, we started off downstream so as not to crowd out the beginners. I enjoyed working my way down through the boulder gardens, surfing on the various holes and waves, splashing through the wave trains, and feeling my confidence returning. We took our time, enjoying the sun and the river, taking photos where I could.
Double action.
We had a good team and everyone was keen to play and push themselves. It is good to be on the river with a solid group of people, enjoying the sunshine and a great flow, it always reminds me why I love white water kayaking. At the bluff before the confluence with the South Branch, Jono demonstrated his skills by getting over the pillow at the base of the bluff, which looked somewhat daunting at the increased flow, and up into the micro eddy against the rock face. Others gave it ago, but no one pulled it off quite so successfully.
Playing around and enjoying the sun.
I always get nervous coming up to Devil’s Fang Falls, even though it is relatively straight forward and I’ve done it many times, I still get butterflies. Today I took the lead as I wanted to get into position at the bottom so I could get photos of the rest of the group. Having scoped out the line from the road, I took the right line, avoiding the centre rooster tail and the turnover at its margin, then breaking into the eddy at the bottom to quickly get the camera out before anyone followed me down. Everyone else came down a similar, though the odd person disappeared in to the foaming mass towards the centre, there were no dramas. Once down, Crispin, Jono and a few others had a bit of a surf in the hole at the base, sometimes with only theirs heads visible above the foam.
Playing in the foamy hole at the bottom of Devil’s Fang Falls.
At this flow, the next rapid with its’ popular play wave and not so forgiving run out, had few takers. I intended to drop in to the eddy on the right to take photos, but found myself washed through and heading for the bluff. I dodged that turmoil and got in to the left hand eddy and only managed to get a few pictures before we carried on downstream. By now I was feeling a bit tired but still enjoying the river. I wasn’t feeling confident enough to do Maori Gully and was quite happy to get out at Seawards. Chatted with Zac in the sun, while waited for the shuttle to be run, before heading down to the Maori Gully take out to wait for the rest of the group to arrive. Crispin and Zac did some work to lash the roof rack in place, before we loaded up and headed back to town, with a brief stop at Brew Moon for beers & pizza.
Date: 17/11/2019 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 1.983 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water mostly clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, nor-easterly breezes. Number on Trip: 2 people. Time on River: 1 hour. Comments: Another beautiful day and Lauri was keen for a paddle so we got up and sorted out the boats and gear. It isn’t as much drama to get kitted up and out the door as it was to begin with. Greta the Shelduck showed no interest in following us down to the river and was happy to remain sitting on top of my car, so we left her on her perch and trundled down to the Avon, Lauri towing her Prijon Fly on her little trolley and me carrying Blitz on my shoulder, enjoying it’s lightness over the much heavier Salto.
We seal launched from the bank, after packing Lauri’s trolley into the back of her kayak and headed down stream. Lauri noted she enjoyed the feeling of weightlessness of gliding over the water that kayaking gave her and it has been really great to share this with her and to see her enjoying being out on the water again. It is so nice to have such easy access to the river without the drama of driving anywhere.
Paddling up Dudley Creek was just like being out in the countryside.
We paddled down river as far as Dudley Creek and since the water level has reasonably high, we paddled under the bridge to explore the creek. Before the quakes there were a number of nice houses along the stream banks, accessible from Banks Avenue, now there is just grassland and trees, giving the feeling that you are paddling on a quiet brook through the countryside. We paddle as far as we could, disturbing a group of scaups, before our way was blocked by a low concrete bridge.
Exiting Dudley Creek and out on to the mighty Avon.
We turned back and paddled back upstream, collecting a couple of floating drink cans that had been discarded in to the river. Lauri also spotted a floating dolls head, looking somewhat worst for its time in the river. We retrieved it, as a slightly grotesque trophy and to reduce the amount of rubbish in the river,
We paddle passed Swanns Road bridge and said hello to the black swans, who were no longer sitting on their nest as they were the proud parents of five new signets. Then back down to the jetty and home for lunch, to find Greta still sitting on the car roof and asking for food too.
Date: 2/11/2019 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 1.885 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water mostly clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, nor-westerly breezes. Number on Trip: 2 people. Time on River: 2.5 hours. Comments: It was another beautiful day with not too much wind, so we decided to have a round of disc golf on our “private” course. Shortly after we started, Greta the Shelduck flew over from our place and down towards the river. We cut the game short at only one round of the five holes and returned home to get the kayaks.
When we finally got to the spot she normally hangs out in, she wasn’t there but we did get to meet another of Greta’s “guardians”, who she regularly visits for food and friendship. He filled us in on some more of Greta’s backstory, including that Flame & Molly, were apparently her parents and quite regularly hound (duck) her for hanging around with humans or not getting a new mate & producing more ducklings. It has been quite interesting to hear the various stories about her form the many people who have interacted with her before she turned up outside our place. She has certainly got around and seems very good at making friends where ever she goes.
Paddling the calm waters of the Avon River, through the Red Zone.
We paddled downstream enjoying the sun, warmth and beautiful scenery, not too far, just down to the riverside retreat corner. Turning around, we paddling back up to the Swanns Road bridge and found Greta, dabbling in the water and preening herself. Soon after we arrived, Flame & Molly arrived and began scolding Greta, with Flame & Molly on the island and Greta on the water. Lauri had positioned her paddle between the two parties and Greta ended up standing on the back of Lauri’s Prijon Fly to continue the “discussion” and to cadge duck food from Lauri.
Greta the Shelduck poses for a photo.
The discussion continued back and forth for some time, dinner time came and went, with the sun slowly sinking. I headed home to feed the cat and put my kayak away, before putting on some warm clothes, grabbing some food and heading back to the river to rescue Lauri from the Shelduck family dispute.
Greta’s parents arrive to question her life choices, while Greta uses the back of the kayak as a platform to press her case.
When I returned, things had calmed down and the strategy of feeding both sides seem to have brought about a fragile peace. I got Lauri to paddle down to the jetty and helped her out of her kayak, which wasn’t easy as she had been sitting in it for a couple of hours. She decided to walk back to the duck off while I carried her kayak home. When I got back, the peace was still holding so I coaxed Lauri home and we had pizza for dinner at about 9:20pm, having been on the river since a little after 4:15pm.
Date: 2/11/2019 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 1.863 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water mostly clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, nor-easterly breezes. Number on Trip: 2 people. Time on River: 1.5 hours. Comments: Lauri was keen to spend some time with Greta on river and so we were up relatively early and got our kayaking gear sorted out. As we were almost ready to head down to the river, Greta flew in and refused to follow us.
Following the black swans downstream through the Red Zone.
We put in and paddled a short way upstream passed the Swanns Road bridge and then decided that downstream would be a pleasanter trip as both sides of the river are Red Zoned, so there is no traffic noise. It was a beautiful day to be out on the river and our boats cut swiftly through the water. We passed a number of whitebaiters and a pair of ducks with over a dozen ducklings scattered all over the river, that they struggled to gather together as we approached. There were plenty of black swans and a few pairs of Shelducks.
Paddling up stream through the Red Zone, the water as smooth as glass.
We paddled back up stream, hoping to see Greta at the Swanns Road bridge. She wasn’t there when we arrived, so I wandered home to try and coax her down but she didn’t want to budge. Greta was still at our place when we returned from our paddle and didn’t leave until we walked her down to the river at dusk.
Date: 27/10/2019 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 1.907 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water mostly clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, nor-westerly breezes, gusting strongly at times. Number on Trip: 2 people. Time on River: 1.25 hours. Comments: No sign of Greta on Sunday morning, so we got in to our kayaking gear and took the boats down to the river. After loading Lauri’s kayak trolley into the back of her kayak, she climbed in and seal launched off the low bank, into the river. I followed and together we paddled upstream to the Stanmore Road bridge with no sign of Greta in her usual spot. A quick slalom under the bridge before heading back down the river. Strong head winds slowed the return trip and there was still no sign of Greta around the Swanns Road bridge so we continued on downstream. Shortly after passing the boat ramp, the cries of a Paradise Shelduck filled the air, as Greta flew past pursued by another female Shelduck. The second female broke of the chase and returned the way she had come, while Greta headed back to her riverside retreat.
Visiting Greta on her little island.
We paddled back upstream to say hello to Greta and spend some time with her. Lauri hand fed Greta from her kayak, which was very cute to see. A large, unusual duck, which we name “The Boss”, was hanging around and he was keen to throw his weight around to get at the duck feed Lauri had scattered on the island for Greta. We spent around 40 minutes paddling around the Swanns Road bridge area, as Greta went about her duck business, before lunch beckoned and we got out at the boat ramp. Lauri decided to spend some more time with Greta, while I took the kayaks home and packed up the gear.
Date: 19/10/2019 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 1.998 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water mostly clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm, nor-easterly breezes. Number on Trip: 2 people. Time on River: 0.75 hours. Comments: Just as we were getting ready to head down to the river with the kayaks to see Greta the Paradise Shelduck, she flew in to visit us. We fed her some duck feed and then coaxed her to follow us. She waddled across the road following Lauri as she towed her kayak behind her, but stopped in the Red Zone to have a bit of a nibble on some grass. We carried on walking down to the river and launched into the river from the bank. Lauri headed off upstream while I got sorted out and on the water.
Paddling through the Red Zone.
I seal launched into the river and powered off after Lauri. There was no sign of Greta at the Swanns Road bridge, where she often hangs out, so we continued on upstream, enjoying the sunshine and beautiful surroundings.
Not wishing to over tax Lauri, we just went as far as the Stanmore Road bridge and did a quick slalom run through the bridge piles before paddling back down the river. Spotted a large brown rat running along the bank near the Old Avonside Girls High, but didn’t manage to get a photo. We also spotted a pair of Paradise Shelducks, that we had previously named Flame, due to the white “flames” around the male’s eyes, and Moll, his aggressive girlfriend.
Back at the Swanns Road bridge, there was no sign of Greta so we continued down stream to the Riverbend Refuge, where the Green Lab group have installed a series of giant eel sculptures, a picnic area and native plantings. Spotted a pair of female Shelducks hanging out together, but no sign of Greta. So we paddled back to the Swanns Road boat ramp and got out there. One of our neighbours was there with here son, making tiny boats out of sticks, so we chatted to her after we got the boats out and loaded up. Suddenly in a flurry of wings and honking, Greta flew in to join us, and we sat on the dock together, enjoying the view and sunshine.
Enjoying the sunshine, post paddle, with Greta the Shelduck.
It ended abruptly when another pair of Paradise Shelducks appeared and the female launched a flying attack on Greta and drove her off, up the road. The drama continued as Greta decided a puddle on the side of the road was a great place to hang out, which was fine until a jogger with a dog ran through, panicking her and causing her to fly into the road with oncoming traffic. I managed to the drive her off the road and down to her spot on the river, whilst balancing my kayak on my shoulder. We sat with her for a bit and then wandered home for lunch.
Date: 13/10/2019 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 1.885 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water mostly clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny but cool. Number on Trip: 2 people & 1 duck. Time on River: 2 hours. Comments: We decided to take the kayaks down to the river to have a paddle around with Greta the Paradise Shelduck that has recently befriended us. We put on the river at the bottom of Eveleyn Couzins Ave and paddled up to around the Swanns Road bridge, which is Greta’s favourite hangout spot.
Lauri says “hello” to Greta the Paradise Shelduck on the river.
Greta seemed pleased to see us on the river and was happy to paddle around with us. It was nice to see her in her natural environment, going about her duck business, feeding and paddling about.
Once a little stream, now flowing underground. Earthquake cracking visible in the pipe.
One of the interesting things she did a couple of times, was to fly up to a hole under the bridge that the pigeons had been roosting in, but being somewhat larger, she didn’t have much success and we weren’t exactly sure what she was trying to do.
A beautiful day to be puddling about on the river.
Apparently good territory is hard to find and a pair of Shelducks were keen to muscle in on Greta’s spot. We named the male Flame, due to the white “flames” around his eyes, and his girlfriend, Moll. Moll was very aggressive towards Greta, repeatedly flying at her in an attempt to drive her off, while Flame was a little more standoffish. We tried to position our kayaks to protect Greta, and defend her territory, Lauri putting her canoe polo skills to good effect. When pressed, Flame and Moll would retreat to a spot near the black swan’s nest, a little way upstream from the bridge, not wishing to disturb the swans, we generally retreated. After a particularly aggressive flanking attack on Greta by Moll, we ended up chasing them a way upstream and they didn’t return.
We spent some what longer on the river than intended, but eventually we said goodbye to Greta and got out at the boat ramp and wandered home for lunch.
Date: 6/10/2019 River: Avon River, Christchurch, NZ River Conditions: 1.89 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water mostly clear. Grade 1. Weather Conditions: Sunny but cool. Number on Trip: 2 people. Time on River: 0.75 hours. Comments: Not quite what I was expecting for my first trip of the season, but it was a nice day and Lauri was keen to get out on the river, so we set about digging out the kayaks and sorting out gear. It always seems like a bit of a mission to haul the kayaks out of the garage, but eventually we were all clad in our kayaking gear and the kayaks were arranged on the over the drive way. Peri, our cat checked out the kayaks, while Greta, the Paradise Shelduck who had recently befriended us, honked the occasional warning while watching proceedings. Lauri’s kayak trolley was assembled and had the tyres pumped up, before strapping her kayak on top and we were ready to go. Peri decided to head inside and Greta showed no interest in following us down to the river, choosing to stay on our driveway when we crossed the road to head into the Red Zone.
The tide was in and there was a nice launching spot at the end of Eveleyn Couzins Ave, where bank protection works provided a nice stepped platform. We got Lauri’s boat into the water and helped here in, feeling a little stiff and creaky, not having sat in a boat for a while. We got her deck on and she paddled off upstream, while I got in to my Salto. The boat felt very roomy, but it was good to be on the water, with a paddle in my hands again, so I sped off after Lauri, with the bow of the Salto cutting cleanly through the water.
Kayaking up the Avon, the Red Zone on the right, Avonside Drive to the left and ahead is the Stanmore Road bridge.
The in-flowing tide made paddling upstream easy and I soon caught up with Lauri. She was enjoying being back in her Prijon Fly but was finding the back rest a little uncomfortable, but after some on river adjustments, she was all happy. It was a beautiful, sunny day, the water was clear and it was a real pleasure to on the river. On the northern bank, the Red Zone provided a refreshing rural outlook, only intruded on by the traffic noise from Avonside Drive running beside the river on the opposite bank. We spotted a black swan, a pair of Paradise Shelducks (but no sign of Greta), the odd shag and other ducks, and even a largish trout near the Stanmore Road bridge.
To avoid overdoing it, we turned back at the Fitzgerald Street bridge instead of popping in to Pomeroy’s for a drink and some pork scratchings. On the way back, Lauri spotted something moving across the water, I gave chase and was soon on the tail on a large swimming rat. It dived to try and throw off pursuit before reaching the bank and scrambling into cover.
We got back to the jetty below the Swanns Road bridge where we planned to get out, as Lauri finds it difficult and painful to climb out of her boat due to health issues. Unfortunately the way was blocked by a fisherman and his white baiting set up. We spoke to him but he wasn’t prepared to let us out there, despite it being a public boat launching ramp, not his personal fishing wharf. Eventually we decided it was less hassle to get out where we got in, rather than persist arguing with a rather rude individual. With a bit of difficulty, we managed to get Lauri out of her boat without falling in, got the boats out and loaded up, before walking home for a well earned cup of tea, feeling surprisingly tired considering the less than extreme nature of this adventure.
Date: 28/4/19 River: Ashley River, Canterbury, NZ River Conditions: 6 cumecs at Ashley Gorge. Water clear and cool. Grade 2. Weather Conditions: Overcast & cool, gusty winds at times. Number on Trip: 9 people doing the upper section. Time on River: 3.75 hours. Comments: We had been planning to do a run on the Klondyke section of the Rangitata, but with rain about the main divide send the flow gauge from 60 to 280 cumecs, we decided to look for other options. The Ashley was running at 6 cumecs, low but still runnable, so after some online discussion, a plan formed. Getting up and checking my phone in the morning confirmed the destination and it was off to the meet up at The Peg.
We loaded up the boats on to vehicles and headed off to the camp ground to meet up with the rest of the crew. Hugh, who had been waiting at the Hornby Caltex as per the original plan, would also meet us there. From the camp ground we drove up to the middle bridge, avoiding the flock of sheep that seemed to be all over the road, got changed and battled the prolific sand flies, before heading to the Less Valley put in.
Leaving the put in.
From the put in down to the Townsend confluence was pretty bony, but once the flows converged we had enough water to float our boats, though you did have to be careful where you chose to do a practice roll. There was plenty to play around on and we had fun making our way down the river.
Hugh points out the lines on the crux rapid.
Above the main rapid of this section, everyone pull over to the river bank and Hugh directed the newer paddlers on the route to take. The more experience of our group went down and set up in position, just in case anyone had any problems. No one did and we worked our way down the rapid without any dramas. At this flow the rapid wasn’t particularly challenging but the shallow rocks meant than anyone not giving the river their full attention, risked getting stuck.
Looking back at the river paddled.Molly styles one of the harder rapids in this section.
I thought we were out of the main rapid but at this flow, the rapid below the main rapid was a bit more interesting and had a great play wave at the bottom. I got some nice photos of people coming down the rapid, as well as those who chose to have a play. The wave was very clean and smooth, as well as being easy to get on to. You could just sit on it and carve back and forth to your hearts content.
Hugh demonstrates his pack raft skills.
Molly surfs up a storm on one of the better play waves in this section.
We continued on down, occasionally catching up with Hugh, who was leading the way in his pack raft (a different one from his ANZAC day trip). The rapids eased off but there was still plenty of fun, though we occasionally struck shallow sections as gravel banks built up as the river snaked through the hills. This meant that sometimes through failing to read the river or poor channel selection, we ended up having to bounce down some riffles or in worst cases, getting stuck and having to hand walk the boat to get through.
Jacko makes a splash.
One of the spots we had a bit of a play around at, had an interesting little eddy just above the play wave. It provided a challenge to get into and once you were in to its boily, turbulent swirl, getting out provided another slightly harder challenge. The eddy was just a little small for the Salto, the first time I managed to back out into the current and then bring the nose around to break out into the current. Silvie gave it a go too and in her shorter play boat was able to get out without drama. She encouraged me to give it another go and this time I had a bit more difficulty bringing the nose around, with the Saltos stubby tail being buffeted by the turbulent flow along the eddy line. I also managed to get free but flipped, my first roll failed and I received a solid knock on my left arm and a thump from a rock to my helmet as I flushed out of the eddy. Next go, I was upright again, having performed my first roll in the Salto. Had a little more play before carrying on down the river.
AJ runs a rapid.
Another play spot, with its green moss covered rocks, provided some fun in a very picturesque location and we spent some time there practicing our skills. The Ashley is a beautiful river and it is always a privilege to paddle through its gorges and glide over its crystal clear waters.
Silvie surfs one of the more picturesque rapids on this section.
Eventually the river opens out and the river becomes more braided, with the limited flow this meant less water in the channels and this resulted in a few strandings, as kayakers struggled to bounce over the slightly damp rocks. Some routes were better than others and we all ended up going in different directions, looking for the “perfect” channel. I came across a cattle beast standing in the middle of the river, which took flight as I approached but I still managed to get a photo. It should probably be noted that there were a number of willow trees, that in some places had the current flowing through them and care needed to be taken around them.
Crystal clear water and a paddle in your hand, what could be better?
On through the final gorge and under the bridge to the get out. We quickly got changed to minimise the amount of flesh available to the swarms of sandflies and then waited while the shuttle was run. Chatted to a hunter, who was heading down stream, to see if they could get a deer heading out for a twilight feed. They apparently had 22 river crossings ahead of them to get to where they were going and then a repeat journey on the way back, possibly in the dark. Definitely keen. When the cars arrived back, we loaded up and headed back to town, feeling tired but satisfied at a fun day out.
